When I first met Pastor Donald over the phone, he struck me as an immediately likable guy. You know the type—laughs at all your jokes, takes a genuine interest in your life, and actually listens when you're describing yourself. A real How to Win Friends and Influence People kind of guy. It didn’t feel like a conversation you typically have with someone you’re meeting for the first time—there was warmth, a certain connection.
But, of course, when it was all said and done, he insisted on prayer. Now, it’s not that I’m against prayer. Quite the opposite. But it’s just that Protestants do it differently than what I’m used to. Instead of a quick Our Father or a Hail Mary, Protestants go on and on, filling in all kinds of details and requests. Often, they tell God what you want—even if it's not necessarily on your wish list. It's like an unspoken rule that the prayer has to align with the agenda of the church rather than your own personal desires.
Then came the surprise. Pastor Donald, without missing a beat, prayed for me to get out of Telecare. I had only mentioned it briefly in our conversation, but he picked up on it right away. He could sense the urgency, the pain of my situation. It was shocking, in a good way. I mean, most people might pray for something generic, like "give him strength," or "guide him." But not Pastor Donald. He dove right into the heart of my struggle.
Now, I know God’s will is its own thing, and as they say, hell is forever—but so is Pastor Donald's optimism. And I like that. It gave me hope.
Put simply, I like Pastor Donald, and I can’t wait to talk to him again. He’s a man of my interests, namely me!
by Dan and Bonkers
